Nine Nutrition Essentials for 2009

From The editors of Cooking Light

You have access to more nutrition information than ever -- from magazines like Cooking Light to the Internet, newspapers, and television. When you add to that the hype about fad diets, the resulting information overload creates more confusion than clarity.

Avoid portion distorition. This seared mahimahi (served with edamame succotash) is a respectable 6 ounces.

"Many people are still uncertain about what they should eat and think good nutrition is complicated," says Food Editor Ann Taylor Pittman. "Even Cooking Light readers, who are more well versed in good nutrition than most, come to us with questions about everything from what constitutes a healthful fat to how to work more whole grains into their diet."

In this and other stories throughout the year, we will demystify the essentials of smart nutrition. First, we've identified the nine most important nutrition issues that influence the way we eat. And we've assembled a panel of top authorities in the nutrition, public health, culinary, and food marketing fields to help guide us in translating complex science into real-world information you can use. We'll share their strategies for bringing smart nutrition to your plate. Here's a preview of the nine topics we'll cover this year in Cooking Light, all with recipes so you can start enjoying the best nutrition right now.

Strategy 1: Eat smart, be fit, and live longer Read more....